On-loan full-back Curtis Obeng chasing Premier League dream

CURTIS Obeng has declared himself happy to be playing for York City despite being told he would get his chance in the Premier League this season.

The on-loan right-back, who made his York debut during Saturday’s 4-1 home defeat to Morecambe, was all poised to play a part in Swansea City’s second top-flight campaign last summer before manager Brendan Rodgers left for Liverpool and was replaced by Michael Laudrup.

Signed for the Swans by Rogers during the 2012 January transfer window in a £200,000 switch from Wrexham, Obeng is yet to make a first-team appearance after a year at the Liberty Stadium, where highly-rated Spaniard Angel Rangel is a mainstay in his position.

But the former England under-19 international, capped by his country four times at that level, still has two-and-a-half years to run on his Swans contract and, after a two-month spell with City’s League Two rivals Fleetwood at the end of last year, is looking forward to his Bootham Crescent challenge.

“It’s been tough at Swansea,” Obeng said of his inactivity in South Wales. “Brendan Rodgers signed me and we sat down towards the end of last season and he told me his plans.

“I was in them but things happen in football. Managers come and go sometimes and, when you get knockbacks, you have to pick yourself up and go again.

“Going to Swansea was a dream move for me in the first place. I was at Wrexham so I can’t complain about playing League football now.

“I didn’t have that chance previously so I’m just relishing every chance I get. Michael Laudrup has obviously got his own plans and players of preference. He’s told me I could be playing but could not guarantee when that would be.

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“He said that if I wanted to go out on loan to get fit and match practice that would be fine so that’s what I’m doing.”

As a former FA Youth Cup finalist with Manchester City in 2006, Obeng is also familiar with the difficulties of earning a first-team chance at football’s top table.

Obeng was awarded a professional deal with the Manchester giants but dropped into non-League football with Wrexham when it came to an end two years later.

Among his team-mates in that Youth Cup final, which City lost 3-2 to Liverpool on aggregate, was current England and now Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge.

Many others, though, have fallen by the wayside and a philosophical Obeng added: “I was in the same age group as Daniel Sturridge and others have gone on to good things like Adam Clayton at Huddersfield.

“But I know a few good players who are not in the game now. I’ve seen some players progress and others fall back so I know what a tough business this is and I’m just happy to be playing in the League.”

Depsite his lack of action at the Liberty Stadium, Obeng also feels that working under Rodgers and Laudrup, while rubbing shoulders with the likes of Michu on the training ground, has been of enormous benefit. He said: “The levels are very good at Swansea and everything is there facility-wise to improve you as a player and a person.

“The only thing that has been missing is games and that’s why I’ve come to York. Premier League reserve games are totally different.

“League football is fast, furious and tough. If I can adapt to that side of the game, then I have a lot more weapons in my armoury. I’m here to do my best for the team.”

Comments (13)

Well if his performance on Saturday was anything to go by then he will be looking for another non league club soon. Offered nothing in the way of attack as he did for Wrexham, defensively light, didn't look interested. Hope he improves for the next game.

Well if his performance on Saturday was anything to go by then he will be looking for another non league club soon. Offered nothing in the way of attack as he did for Wrexham, defensively light, didn't look interested. Hope he improves for the next game.alimount

alimount wrote:
Well if his performance on Saturday was anything to go by then he will be looking for another non league club soon. Offered nothing in the way of attack as he did for Wrexham, defensively light, didn't look interested. Hope he improves for the next game.

I agree with that wasn't very good on saturday..but lets give him another chance at least..he can't play any worse can he..

[quote][p][bold]alimount[/bold] wrote:
Well if his performance on Saturday was anything to go by then he will be looking for another non league club soon. Offered nothing in the way of attack as he did for Wrexham, defensively light, didn't look interested. Hope he improves for the next game.[/p][/quote]I agree with that wasn't very good on saturday..but lets give him another chance at least..he can't play any worse can he..redbluelion

alimount wrote:
Well if his performance on Saturday was anything to go by then he will be looking for another non league club soon. Offered nothing in the way of attack as he did for Wrexham, defensively light, didn't look interested. Hope he improves for the next game.

I agree with that wasn't very good on saturday..but lets give him another chance at least..he can't play any worse can he..

[quote][p][bold]alimount[/bold] wrote:
Well if his performance on Saturday was anything to go by then he will be looking for another non league club soon. Offered nothing in the way of attack as he did for Wrexham, defensively light, didn't look interested. Hope he improves for the next game.[/p][/quote]I agree with that wasn't very good on saturday..but lets give him another chance at least..he can't play any worse can he..redbluelion

alimount wrote:
Well if his performance on Saturday was anything to go by then he will be looking for another non league club soon. Offered nothing in the way of attack as he did for Wrexham, defensively light, didn't look interested. Hope he improves for the next game.

God give him a chance, its one game where everyone struggled.

[quote][p][bold]alimount[/bold] wrote:
Well if his performance on Saturday was anything to go by then he will be looking for another non league club soon. Offered nothing in the way of attack as he did for Wrexham, defensively light, didn't look interested. Hope he improves for the next game.[/p][/quote]God give him a chance, its one game where everyone struggled.duffy

Well I was hoping to see a player similar to James Merideth in style, maybe he is but there was very little to work with on Saturday in a very placid performance by all.

Nevermind cutting it in the Premier League, as long as he gives 100% for us hes a star in my eyes. I guess we are all allowed to have ambitions though, i mean who would ever have imagined Jon Parkin cutting it in the Championship.

Well I was hoping to see a player similar to James Merideth in style, maybe he is but there was very little to work with on Saturday in a very placid performance by all.
Nevermind cutting it in the Premier League, as long as he gives 100% for us hes a star in my eyes. I guess we are all allowed to have ambitions though, i mean who would ever have imagined Jon Parkin cutting it in the Championship.GetCarlos

What's the point in the above comments? The lad has come to York, played one game and given an interview.

If I was Gary Mills or any York player, I wouldn't bother communicating with the local press anymore.

What's the point in the above comments? The lad has come to York, played one game and given an interview.
If I was Gary Mills or any York player, I wouldn't bother communicating with the local press anymore.YO1

It's far too early to judge him but I thought his pace and wing play will improve us this month (and hopefully beyond). One of the problems we have at the moment is Walker being left on his own up front. If we can resolve it we'll score and win more games.

It's far too early to judge him but I thought his pace and wing play will improve us this month (and hopefully beyond). One of the problems we have at the moment is Walker being left on his own up front. If we can resolve it we'll score and win more games.openallhours

Think it was a difficult game for Obeng to make his debut in-when he had possesion he was as guilty as anyone for passing the ball square or passing back to the keeper but I dont blame him so much as the way he has probably been asked to play-to play this short passing game there needs to be a tempo to it which there wasn't!-there needs to be movement in front of you which there wasn't!-there needs to be support for the man on the ball-which there wasn't-if all else fails there needs to be height or physical presence up front to knock it long to-which there isn't!-so the end result is a defender in the back four in possession has no options in front of him and in an effort to ensure the team keeps possession ends up passing square or back and looks bad for doing it!
Things need to improve all round starting on Saturday.

Think it was a difficult game for Obeng to make his debut in-when he had possesion he was as guilty as anyone for passing the ball square or passing back to the keeper but I dont blame him so much as the way he has probably been asked to play-to play this short passing game there needs to be a tempo to it which there wasn't!-there needs to be movement in front of you which there wasn't!-there needs to be support for the man on the ball-which there wasn't-if all else fails there needs to be height or physical presence up front to knock it long to-which there isn't!-so the end result is a defender in the back four in possession has no options in front of him and in an effort to ensure the team keeps possession ends up passing square or back and looks bad for doing it!
Things need to improve all round starting on Saturday.Yorkieroy60

YO1 wrote:
What's the point in the above comments? The lad has come to York, played one game and given an interview.

If I was Gary Mills or any York player, I wouldn't bother communicating with the local press anymore.

Agreed. New team, a few days to even to get to know their names. He's going to need more than that before we can "judge" him.

Watch him have a stormer at Wycombe and for the silly comment that started this thread to look even more stupid.

[quote][p][bold]YO1[/bold] wrote:
What's the point in the above comments? The lad has come to York, played one game and given an interview.
If I was Gary Mills or any York player, I wouldn't bother communicating with the local press anymore.[/p][/quote]Agreed. New team, a few days to even to get to know their names. He's going to need more than that before we can "judge" him.
Watch him have a stormer at Wycombe and for the silly comment that started this thread to look even more stupid.TerryYork

I just cant believe Gary Mills keeps looking at midfielders, when it is patently obvious that is firepower upfront that is needed. We need someone who can hold the ball and bring others into play and should be big enough to win headers when the ball is hoofed forward.
Although Jason Walker does his best,its
obvious to me he cannot do this as well as score goals. Its not too bad a situation when the midfield weighs in with a few goals but its not happening.

I just cant believe Gary Mills keeps looking at midfielders, when it is patently obvious that is firepower upfront that is needed. We need someone who can hold the ball and bring others into play and should be big enough to win headers when the ball is hoofed forward.
Although Jason Walker does his best,its
obvious to me he cannot do this as well as score goals. Its not too bad a situation when the midfield weighs in with a few goals but its not happening.big mobe